Khadi isn’t only made of cotton but is available in wool variants and silk, as well as a myriad of other blends. Khadi is a beautiful way to take the shape and shapes of a variety of items ranging from trousers to lehengas. From ethnic outfits to Western-style designs, Khadi is an appropriate choice for work clothes, ethnic wear, and even evening wear for eco-conscious people.
The total sales of khadis in India increased by Rs1,081.04 million in 2013-14 to Rs5,942.93 crore by 2022-23, growing by nearly 450. The huge increase in sales provides a ray of hope to the makers and promoters. But, this is only an initial step towards Indian handcrafted products, which show off the immense potential.
In a time where sustainability is now a standard to be followed by all sectors and industries, industries are searching for ways to bring environmentally friendly products to their customers. Khadi’s use would be a good move to take in the right direction. It is a symbol of an Indian liberation movement. Khadi is renowned for its durability, simplicity, and class.
Khadi recounts the story of millions of people involved in the cultivation of cotton, raising sheep, and processing silk. It’s the result of the pulsating motion of skilled hands swirling delicately spun yarns out of a plethora of fibers. In the same way, it reflects the skill of millions of weavers who weave numerous designs, making the fabric the socio-cultural story of India.
Khadi is derived from khaddar, a type of fabric that is hand-spun and hand-woven. It has a distinctive, rough texture. India’s founding father, Mahatma Gandhi, used this cloth as a means to express his displeasure in opposition to the British mill-made textile. The fabric played an important role in India’s struggle for Independence. It was a key source of exports to Europe in both the 17th and 18th centuries. However, it loosened its shine because of the introduction of lower-cost powerloom textiles.
In recent times, however, it has been noted that the Indian government has been active in the revival of the khadi industry and encouraging consumers to purchase more khadi items. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been paying more attention to the promotion and assisting khadi artisans as well as the khadi karyakartas. Modi has emphasized the vital significance of Khadi in helping to strengthen and sustain the local Indian economy and has discussed it on a variety of platforms, including different episodes of his radio show ‘Mann ki Baat.’
Despite all the attempts, Khadi has not managed to gain a place in the wardrobes of a lot of people. It seems that the old image of Khadi being the fabric used for coarse kurtas for men and Nehru jackets remains in the minds of people. However, the good news is that the khadi fabric is just as smooth as silk and cozy as the mulmul.
Recognizing the amazing power of Khadi to keep you cool in hot summers and warm in the cold winter months, Its definition is currently being redefined by fashion-conscious designers and other manufacturers of textiles. Khadi today isn’t just made of cotton but is available in silk, wool, and different blends. Khadi is a beautiful way to take the shape and form of various items ranging from pants to lehengas. From ethnic wear to Western-inspired designs, Khadi is an ideal choice of fashion for work clothes, ethnic wear, and evening wear that is eco-friendly for people.
In the present, where all over the globe is fighting against climate change and pushing for the realization of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the significance of Khadi has increased because of its low carbon footprint.
In India, there is a Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), a government agency that is involved in the development of promotion, organization, and execution of programs to support the growth of Khadi. KVIC, through their Khadi Vikas Yojana (KVY), has decided to establish the Centre of Excellence to promote Khadi (CoEK) as a result of conjunction with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)–a pioneering institute of design education, which is playing a significant part in revitalizing khadi design. The goal for this CoEK is to come up with new Khadi products for top-end international and domestic markets as well as to build the brand ‘Khadi. The CoEK will be working to make Khadi trendy for young people with color forecasts and trends in fashion. It will also be engaged in promoting Khadi with innovative packaging, branding, and design.
The outcomes expected from the project include the positioning of Khadi as a fashionable clothing product for the young generation, as well as assisting Khadi institutions in expanding their sales by offering innovative designs and the quality of Khadi, as well as strengthening the brand name ‘Khadi.’
Alongside CoEK, KVIC, in collaboration with FDCI and other major textile companies, is introducing the khadi fabric in more appealing styles in modern prints and shapes. Companies such as Peter England, Raymond, and Arvind Ltd have come out with khadi-inspired collections. Additionally, many of the top fashion designers from India are reviving the khadi style in their way. Designer labels such as Ritu Kumar as well as Sabyasachi Mukherjee have used Khadi frequently in their collections due to its characteristics such as subdued texture breathability, dyeability, and breathability. Other designers like Payal Jain, Anju Modi, and Rohit Bal have utilized the Khadi to create Western-inspired designs, Indian wear, and even wedding and fusion wear. In contrast, designers such as Raghavendra Rathore and Abu Sandeep Khosla have embellished Khadi with chikankari and dori work. Other labels like Anavila Misra and Metaphor Racha use Khadi for the creation of elegant sarees.
It is the Pot Plant, 11.11 / eleven, Red Sister Blue, Runaway Bicycle, Yavi, and Maku Textiles, which are some niche brands using Khadi to create contemporary and stylish silhouettes. These styles cater to the preferences of the urban-conscious consumer who is concerned with style and sustainability.
What is needed today is for the new generations of designers and fashionistas to be a part of the nation’s development by creatively using Khadi as a component of their designs. A lot of work is required from researchers in the field of textiles to increase the quality of yarns spun by hand and woven fabrics.
In the present, Khadi has developed to become a status symbol expressing empathy and compassion towards this traditional Indian material. Designers and fashionistas must be determined to elevate this locally produced fabric to international markets and recognize its role in luxury and high-end fashion. Additionally, Khadi is the perfect platform for creating eco-friendly and sustainable manner. The combination of natural dyeing and printing techniques may make a difference in the appeal of different khadi fabric types, which makes them the most popular option for those who are interested in sustainable fashion. A positive outlook on the part of consumers towards khadi fashion may dramatically increase the development of the khadi business and ensure that it gets the respect and recognition it deserves.